4. Do you know this from long ago—from when humans were placed on earth—
5. that the rejoicing of the wicked is short,the joy of the godless, brief?
6. Though their height reaches heavenand their heads touch the clouds,
7. they will perish forever like their dung;those who saw them will say, "Where are they?"
8. They will disappear like a dream,and none will find them,carried away like a nighttime vision.
9. The eye that saw them will do so no more;they won’t be seen again at home.
10. Their children will repay the poor;their hands will give back their wealth.
11. Vigor filled their bonesand now sleeps with them in the dust.
12. Though wickedness is sweet in their mouths,they hide it under their tongues;
13. they like it, won’t let it go;they hold it in their cheeks.
14. Food turns their stomachs,becoming a cobra’s poison inside.
15. They swallow wealth and vomit it;God dislodges it from their belly.
16. They suck cobra’s poison;a viper’s tongue kills them.